McGillin's Olde Ale House is a tavern in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Opened in 1860, McGillin's is the oldest drinking establishment in the city. It is located on Drury Street, an alley connecting 13th Street and South Juniper Street, between Chestnut and Sansom streets, in Center City.[1][2]
History
19th century
The interior of McGillin's Olde Ale House in September 2017Food and beer at McGillin's Olde Ale House in May 2017
Initially called The Bell in Hand, the famous pub opened its doors in 1860 in the home of Irish immigrant William "Pa" McGillin, the owner and operator of the establishment. It was nicknamed McGillin's by those who frequented the establishment, and the bar took on the title as its official name.
20th century
"Pa" McGillin operated the establishment until his death in 1901. Then his wife Catherine, known as "Ma" McGillin continued running the business, which had grown to encompass the oyster house next door as well as the remainder of the McGillin's house, displacing her 13 children. "Ma" ran the restaurant until her own death in 1937, at age 90.[2][3]
After Ma's death, the tavern was run by her daughter, Mercedes McGillin Hooper, until 1958, when she sold it to Henry Spaniak and Joe Shepaniak, brothers and experienced bartenders, who used different spellings of their last names.
Since 1993, the bar has been owned by Henry's daughter, Mary Ellen Spaniak Mullins, and her husband Chris Mullins. Their son, Christopher Mullins, Jr., also helps run the day-to-day operations.[2][3]
The ceramic tile floor of the main floor, though not original to the bar, was installed by "Pa" McGillin because he was "tired of replacing the wooden floors because of wear and tear from workers' boots. William got the idea from a local butcher shop—little wear and tear, easy to clean."[3]
In 2002, the political website PoliticsPA named it to their list of restaurants frequented by politicians.[4]
In 2007, the national trade magazine Nightclub and Bar included McGillin's in its Editors' Choice Top 100 bars and clubs in the United States. The list is based on annual revenue, effective marketing and advertising, uniqueness to market and other factors.[5] Many media outlets have called McGillin's one of America's most authentic Irish pubs in the nation, including USA Today, HuffPost, Fodor's, The Daily Meal, MSN, and Orbitz.
In 2013, Gourmet magazine called McGillin's one of the three coolest bars in the United States.
McGillin's Olde Ale House has also become known for its elaborate Christmas decorations during the holiday season, and the bar opened a Holiday Pop-Up Shoppe in November 2023 that sold branded McGillin's merchandise.[6]
Notable paraphernalia
McGillin's has become the home to a sizable collection of historical Philadelphia paraphernalia, including:
A catalogue of every Liquor License held by the pub since 1871, saved by William McGillin and each successive owner
The original "Bell in Hand" sign that William "Pa" McGillin designed for the pub when it opened in 1860. The sign is a carved piece of wood of an arm ringing a bell.[3]
The Strawbridge & Clothier "Seal of Quality" logo sign from the Market Street Store - Presented to McGillin's by Peter Strawbridge, the founder's great-grandson.[3]
